In December 2022, CIHT published a new report outlining how we can fix the UK’s failing planning and transport system, and finally deliver sustainable transport in new housing developments. The whitepaper was based on an in-depth survey of the membership of CIHT, Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Transport Planning Society (TPS), all involved in the planning and delivery of sustainable transport for housing developments.

Heightened pressures

It's important to recognise that this isn't a new issue. For decades, the planning system and transport, in general, have not been properly integrated. But the issue is even more critical now, because we need to tackle the climate crisis.

The government realises we have to rapidly decarbonise transport, the largest emitter in the UK by sector. What's significant about this whitepaper is that it outlines how, without proper integration of planning and transport, we won't be able to deliver on climate goals. Put simply, if we don't make sustainable transport provision a part of the planning process, we won’t achieve our climate goals as a nation, with all that entails for issues such as public health.

What we're asking people to do in this paper is to think more broadly, rather than in a silo mentality. We're also asking the government to do the same, because we're seeing transport in its own box and planning in its own box. To achieve climate goals, it's incredibly important for everyone to think more broadly and adopt a systems approach, or we're never going to resolve this issue.

CIHT members have an incredibly important role in delivering on this. You are the people working in the sector and need to think how the points made in this whitepaper are relevant in your job, and how they can be implemented, and how to share this message too.

Kyle Fairbairn was in conversation with Craig Thomas

Next steps

Members’ experiences are also invaluable when responding to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, which is open until 2 March. After all, it’s going to be you, as professionals, who will be affected and will implement whatever changes come about. We understand not everyone has the time to put a response together so CIHT will try to take everyone's views into account. Members can start discussions on CIHT Connect or get in touch with us by email (technical@ciht.org.uk) to share your views.

These opportunities don't come around very often and we need to maintain the momentum following the publication of the whitepaper. This is an important consultation and we want to give everyone the opportunity to have their views heard.

The final CIHT consultation response will be uploaded to the CIHT website on 2 March, with the results of the National Planning Policy Framework consultation being made public around June.